THUNDER BAY -- A worker at Bethammi Nursing Home told a resident's family member that the resident's soiled wheelchair was left uncleaned for a prolonged period because of a lack of staff.
The incident of neglect is one of a litany of problems identified in a Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care inspection of the Thunder Bay long-term care home that was conducted in late January and early February.
It resulted in St. Joseph's Care Group, the operator of the home, receiving eight compliance orders with fix-up deadlines of no later than May 14.
According to a report on the wheelchair incident, which occurred this past winter, it became soiled with a bodily fluid while the resident was using it, and "interventions the resident required related to continence had not been completed all day."
The resident had a medical condition that required staff to do continence checks at specific intervals.
After a visiting family member raised concerns, a personal support worker explained that the resident had not been looked after "due to staff shortages."
When the wheelchair was washed by the family member and later by another personal support worker, the family member described how the "water immediately turned colour and smelled" and "a lot of the (body fluid) poured out."
In an email to the home administrator, the family member stated "I am concerned that this issue is not really resolved from a staff role, education, awareness or understanding of what personal dignity means."
Staff encouraged not to complain about shortage
Documentation provided to the inspectors by the administrator indicated "discipline and guidance" was subsequently provided to the personal support workers who did not provide continence intervention until family spoke up. The document had a notation "Encourage staff not to complain about being short."
But the inspectors' report, based on documents, first-hand observations and interviews with residents, family members, employees and managers, in fact outlines a chronic lack of staff at Bethammi which contributes to shortcomings in care.
As an example, in December 2017 "there were ten day and six evening shifts where the home was short an RPN, resulting in eight shifts where two RPNs out of three to four RPNs, or 50 to 75 per cent of the scheduled RPNs, were in the home to care for 112 residents."
The staffing issue is a key factor in residents not getting bathed as often as they should, not receiving between-meal snacks and adequate care for skin wounds, and lengthy waits before staff respond to residents who ring their call bells when they need help.
Tracy Buckler, chief executive officer of St. Joseph's Care Group, says the shortage of PSWs is the same issue the organization has experienced at Hogarth Riverview Manor.
"We have a significant shortage through the province and in Thunder Bay in both of our homes," Buckler told Tbnewswatch.
She said every effort is being made to improve recruitment, as well as training of existing staff.
At Hogarth Riverview Manor, the organization is also testing a new position called the Resident Home Worker.
"We're just beginning to pilot that to see if it's going to help offset until we get sufficient PSW resources," Buckler said.
In the interim, she said, the organization is working diligently to act on the eight ministry orders for compliance, and on 23 "written notices" from the inspectors about other processes at Bethammi that require correction.
Despite the multiple problems detailed by the inspectors, Buckler said she has "every level of confidence" that anyone speaking with the majority of families or residents at Bethammi would find that they are "very satisfied" with the care that residents receive.
The full inspection report is available online.
